Mega Man ZX

ZX appeal.

Quick lesson: That's
"ZX," as in "sechs," as in "German for six,"
as in "the number of Mega Man spin-offs
we're up to now." Don't write this off as
a rehash, though--ZX is a much-needed
change of pace for Capcom's creaking
franchise, a lovingly crafted adventure
that combines the style of the Zero games
with the freedom and side quests of the
Legends series. A surprisingly engaging
dual-perspective story is the tasty cherry
on top, tying the franchise's various series
together. The graphics may be dated, but
the controls are perfect, the power-ups brilliant,
and the difficulty tough but balanced.
ZX manages to recapture what made those
NES originals so darn appealing.